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<h3 style="width:100%;color:#336600;text-align:center;position:relative;">How to Cook Quinoa</h3>

<p style="width:100%;color:#660000;text-align:left;">Cooking quinoa is quite simple, it only takes about 12-15 minutes to cook although there are, however, a few key points about preparing Quinoa that you should keep in mind:</p>

<ul style="color:#660000;">
<li>ALWAYS wash Quinoa in cold water thoroughly.</li>
<li>1 cup of dry quinoa requires 2 cups of water to cook and yields around 3 cups of cooked quinoa.</li>
<li>Quinoa fluffs up 3 to 4 times in volume after cooking.</li>
</ul>


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  <span style="color: #ff0000">NOTE:</span>
Since Quinoa is coated with a bitter substance, called saponin, it is important to thoroughly wash it until the water runs clear.</br>Not doing so will mean ingesting the chemicals that cover quinoa grains - yes, even after cooking.</br>There are some brands that will tell you its pre-washed but its always best to wash it again before using for your own peace of mind.
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<h3 style="width:100%;color:#336600;text-align:center;position:relative;">3 Simple Steps to Fluffy Quinoa:</h3>
<div style="width:100%;text-align:center"><img src="cookedquinoa.png"></div>

<ol style="color:#660000;">
<li>Boil two cups of water for every one cup of quinoa. You can also substitute with broth or stock for added flavor, depending on the recipe.</li>
<li>Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat to a medium low and reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed, and quinoa is cooked. (the cooked germ separates from the seed and looks like a tiny curl, they are tender with a springy texture)</li>
<li>Remove the quinoa from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5-10 minutes or so. Fluff with fork. You can then mix with meat, veg, salad, shrimps or whatever you like.</li>
</ol>
<p style="color:#660000;">
Its as simple as that!
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<p style="color:#660000;">
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<img src="file:///android_res/drawable/tip_icon.png" style="display:block;"></span>
Toast it first! Try toasting the quinoa first in a pan until its completely dry and the grains begin to pop, to give it a more nutty, roasted flavor, and then add stock/water and cook as normal.
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<p style="color:#660000;">
<span>
<img src="file:///android_res/drawable/tip_icon.png" style="display:block;"></span>
Alternatively, saute some onions and or garlic in olive oil, then add quinoa and cook stirring frequently, until quinoa dries out and becomes golden brown. You can add veg at this stage if you choose and then the required amount of stock/water and cook as normal.
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<p style="color:#660000;">
<span>
<img src="file:///android_res/drawable/tip_icon.png" style="display:block;"></span>
Or once quinoa is toasted you can add the broth a little at a time, and continue stirring frequently, until it's cooked through much like you would cook a risotto, then season and add your choice of ingredients.
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<div style="width:100%;text-align:center"><img src="quinoavegetables.png"></div>

<h3 style="width:100%;color:#336600;text-align:center;position:relative;">Baking With Quinoa Flour</h3>

<p style="color:#660000;text-align:left;">Using quinoa flour for baking usually means combining it with other flours.</p>
<p style="color:#660000;text-align:left;">Whilst its possible to make baked goods and pastas out of 100% quinoa flour, it typically has a heavy and dense texture, sometimes referred to as "truffle-like", but when combined with other flours like rice flour or tapioca flour, quinoa takes on a more lighter texture, but still tastes great and definitely still qualifies as gluten-free!</p>
<p style="color:#660000;text-align:left;">Be aware that when buying Quinoa flour that most companies combine quinoa flour with other flours (like tapioca flour or rice flour or with oatmeal) to produce a lighter texture, meaning, NOT ALL quinoa flour products are 100% organic quinoa flour. ALWAYS READ LABEL.</p>
<p style="color:#660000;text-align:left;">For baking, use the ratio of:</p>
<p style="color:#660000;text-align:left;">2 Parts Quinoa Four</br>2 Parts Sorghum Flour</br>1 Part Tapioca Starch
</p>

<p style="color:#660000;text-align:left;">Unlike wheat flour, you will also need to use some kind of binder with quinoa flour since its gluten-free. So in order for your recipe to bake well you need to use one or more of the following to 'glue' it all together;</p>

<p style="width:100%;color:#336600;text-align:center;">Eggs, Chia seeds, Xanthan gum, Gum Arabic, Guar gum, Baking powder, Baking soda</p>

<h3 style="width:100%;color:#336600;text-align:center;position:relative;">Ways to Eat Quinoa</h3>

<p style="color:#660000;text-align:left;">The thing about Quinoa is - well it's just not BORING!</br></br>It is so versatile; you can enjoy it in so many different ways, not to mention
trying the different varieties available.</p>

<ul style="color:#660000;">
<li>Traditionally it has been eaten as a porridge or in soups and stews, you can add nuts and fruits to cooked quinoa and serve as breakfast porridge.</li>
<li>For a twist on your favorite pasta recipe, use spaghetti made from quinoa, or fusilli, penne.</li>
<li>Sprouted quinoa can be used in salads and sandwiches just like alfalfa sprouts.</li>
<li>Ground quinoa flour can be added to cookie or muffin recipes.</li>
<li>Use as a wheat-free substitute for Bulgar wheat or couscous.</li>
</ul>
<p style="color:#660000;text-align:left;">So now you know how to cook it, go check out some recipes!</p>


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